Hulkenburg tops latest F1 test

Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg was fastest on day two of the final Formula One test in Barcelona.

Most of the teams who took part today ran on low fuel to prepare qualifying set-ups, before switching to longer race simulation stints in the afternoon. Teams also took advantage of the dry weather, something which hasn’t been a regular feature of the year’s previous tests.

Hulkenburg was faster than Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who had been setting the pace for much of the day.

Virgin was back on track with Timo Glock after his team mate Lucas di Grassi damaged the team’s car yesterday. Jarno Trulli ran for Lotus – the two aforementioned teams are the only ones of F1’s new quartet to take part in the pre season testing following the continued absence of both Campos Meta and US F1.

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Can't help wonder if this is yet another low fuel run by the Spanish Estafador!

Typically he'll do a low fuel qualifying just to get up the grid, but quickly falls back during the race especially when he has to pit early (or gets lucky(?) with a crashing team mate). Makes him look quick, but everybody would be quicker if they didn't have to carry fuel!

Doesn't mean a thing,it's what happens on race week and ultimately on race day itself,Schumacher was quoted as saying that several cars could be in with a shout this season, i'd take the experience of a seasoned F1 driver any day because he's been at the sharp end.

I know that the teams will be running different fuel loads, and one's low fuel may be different from another's!

Yes, I do know also that this year there won't be any refueling during a race. Historically Alonso would go light to try and get some limelight during qually, but we'll have to see if he's grown up this year. Will the toys be flying out the pram if Massa is quicker?

And I totally agree that the times during testing are almost completely meaningless. Although I do remember one year during pre-season testing that a certain rookie was quicker than a two times world champion. McLaren played it down, but ultimately we found that Hamilton was the real deal.

The cars look bloody awful in action. The front tyres are puny and the proportions are shot.

Next year the regulations should increase both rear and front tyre width and allow for a wider body to accommodate the fuel tanks. Or just bring back refuelling; after all, that is the most fuel-efficient way to complete a race.